Pedro Neto Admits Chelsea Players Must Share Blame for Poor Start Ahead of Benfica Clash

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has called on his teammates to take responsibility for the club’s inconsistent start to the season, insisting that recent setbacks are down to their own mistakes rather than solely the manager.

The Blues have managed just three wins from their opening eight games across all competitions and have lost back-to-back Premier League matches, a run that has left fans frustrated and questioning head coach Enzo Maresca. But Neto believes it is the players who must shoulder much of the blame.

Neto: “We Know the Mistakes Are Ours”

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Benfica at Stamford Bridge, Neto said the squad are fully aware of where things have gone wrong.

“I think the environment is really positive,” Neto explained. “In the eyes of everyone, our points lost were because of our own mistakes. In the last game, you could see that we were controlling most of the game. We are not blaming anyone, but it is our own mistakes that have been taking points from us.”

Chelsea’s fragility was evident in their recent trip to Brentford, where they conceded a last-minute equaliser. Neto admitted those lapses in concentration have cost them dearly.

“Even Brentford away we were winning until the last minute and we conceded a goal because our focus was not 100 per cent,” he said. “The players are really positive, and we have an opportunity to show tomorrow what we can do one more time.”

Calls for Higher Standards

Neto, who joined Chelsea over the summer, also stressed the need for the squad to live up to the expectations set last season when the club claimed the FIFA Club World Cup.

“To be honest, I want to do better,” he said. “I think we, as a team, we want to do much better as well. The standards that we put are really high. Last season we showed what we can do and this season that is what we are going to do. We will do great stuff.”

Chelsea have scored only nine goals in the Premier League so far — fewer than any other side in the top half of the table. That lack of cutting edge, combined with defensive lapses, has left Maresca under growing scrutiny.

Mourinho’s Return Highlights Contrast

Tuesday night’s match will also mark the return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese coach, now in charge of Benfica, is expected to receive a warm reception from Chelsea fans after leading the club to three Premier League titles across two spells.

By contrast, Maresca has yet to enjoy the same affection. Some supporters voiced their displeasure following Saturday’s defeat to Brighton, where Chelsea struggled to impose themselves despite dominating possession.

Neto urged patience, reminding fans that criticism in football can be fickle.

“One day you’re the best, if you’re losing the other day, you’re the worst,” he said. “When the manager won, he was the best in the world and now he’s losing, he’s the worst. For us as players, it’s the same. When we won the Club World Cup, we were the best, and now we are the worst.”

The winger also defended Maresca, stressing that the responsibility must be shared. “Jose is a part of the story of the club, he is not here to win or lose games. And Maresca is here to do his best and he cannot do better than what he is doing, because it is not only him that is at fault, it is the players’ fault as well. We are on the pitch, we have to take the blame as well.”

Learning from Mistakes

Neto’s comments highlight a growing sense within the Chelsea camp that they must respond collectively if they are to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointing campaign, when they finished outside the Champions League places.

“We have to do much better and, as a team, we have to focus on ourselves and learn from our mistakes for the next games,” Neto concluded.

Chelsea will need that improvement quickly. With Benfica arriving under Mourinho and a tough Premier League schedule to follow, Maresca’s side cannot afford to continue dropping points if they are to keep pace with England’s top four.

The spotlight will remain firmly on both the players and the manager on Tuesday night — but Neto’s words suggest the dressing room is ready to take its share of responsibility.